THE8 | Junhao

THIRTY - FIVE

| CHAPTER THIRTY - FIVE |

Minghao slams the folder down on the desk, "Are you kidding me?" He's pissed, downright fuming, "When were you going to tell me my father used to work at the same exact police station I work at now?"

Seungcheol just stays silent, staring.

"My father was a cop, Seungcheol... a cop." Minghao says, sighing shakily, trying everything in possibility to keep his cool, "And you told me he was killed by one as well? One of his colleagues now, it seems like."

Seungcheol sighs.

"I'm working with the exact people my father used to work with, sir." Minghao clenches his jaw, "You're having me work with those people, damn well knowing one of them murdered my father in cold blood."

A horrid beat of silence.

Seungcheol looks at him, "You come in here," He starts, "You come in here and demand answers from me?" He scoffs, grinning in amusement, "I appreciate the effort Minghao, but after what you've done...." He shakes his head, "I don't even think you know what trust is at this point."

Minghao stares at him, "are you serious?"

"I was running late that day, so I had Jeonghan run down there to start the drug stimulation process," He begins, clasping his hands, "You barge in my building with the police, and attack my people... people who've worked with you for years, and you expect me to hand you back my trust on a silver platter?"

Minghao stares at him, "i was going to warn you."

"Yet, you didn't."

"My phone was taken, sir." Minghao defends himself, "For protocol. For safety measures. I didn't have any other way to contact you.... it would've been too suspicious in my part if I just walked away from the mission."

Seungcheol looks at Minghao, not knowing how to deal with the situation. After a moment, he throws his head in his hands, groaning in frustration, "I'll only ask you this one more time, Minghao. one more time."

Minghao waits.

Seungcheol raises his head, "Do you know what you're doing?" He asks, "Do you know what you're doing and how to stop something like this next time?"

Minghao pauses before nodding hurriedly, "I don't have any other reason to be at that station besides finding out what happened to my father.... I'm not there to make friends." He says, "I'm there to avenge my father, sir."

Seungcheol sighs.

Minghao looks him in the eye, "I won't fail you."

Seungcheol hesitates in taking in Minghao's words, but eventually nods his head up and down slowly, unclasping his hands to lean back in his chair, "Stay true to your word, Minghao, and I will as well, I'll continue to help you."

Minghao lets out a relieved breath, closing his eyes with a thankful nod, "Thank you so much, sir." He says, "And I'm sorry for causing this mess."

"Just don't do it again." Seungcheol tells him, "I don't want to have to pull you out from that station just because you make mistakes after mistakes. Stay focused. Have no time for other things besides what you're there for."

Minghao nods, swallowing.

"Promise me." Seungcheol's eyes are stern, and Minghao's knees weaken in nervousness at the simple sight.

"I promise." Minghao says a little too quick, nodding, "I promise, sir. I won't let you down, not again." He says, "But for now..." Seungcheol watches the redhead take a seat, scooting closer to his desk.

Minghao raises a shaky hand, fingers grazing the file, "Please," He begs, voice pleading and desperate, "Please just explain this to me. I need answers. That's why I came here. That's why I came to you out of all people."

"You could've asked the chief." Seungcheol shrugs, "He would've definitely told you, he was your father's best friend after all." The man leans back in his chair with a hum as if he said nothing.

But Minghao was frozen, "What." It didn't even sound like a question, he was genuinely just shocked. His skin felt cold, like ice, and he felt like his entire world just came to a stop.

Seungcheol nods, "Your father's partner was Seungkwan, Minghao."

Minghao blinks.

A bombshell.